Tell Us Dammit: Best Video Game Openings

I'm almost certain we've had this discussion before, but I want to have it again! What are your very favourite video game openings?

By openings I mean 'levels' or 'beginnings' or whatever word you'd like to use to describe it.

I'm struggling to think of ones that stand out here. I always like the way the very first Halo started. I'll never forget playing the first hour of Mario 64 either, but those aren't traditionally incredible openings.

Oh wait, I have one: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past with the rain and the drama. So good.

I suspect I'm going to go through the comments on this one saying, "why didn't I think of that one?"

Chrono Trigger of course (and Zelda III, but Mark already took that). The tolling of the Millennial Bell and Chrono's fist pump before he jumps through the gate to save Marle the first time. So damn good.

1) Mass Effect 2, where the Normandy gets destroyed and Shep sacrifices himself to save Joker, you see Shep's lifeless body floating in space and then the credits start playing over scenes of his re-construction. Such a cool opening. Damn, makes me want to re-play that game again sometime.

2) The Last of Us, so much emotion in that starting scene with the outbreak and the death of Joel's daughter. Actually teared up a bit at that scene. What a way to start the game.

It's strange, I always forget that part of the intro in ME2 and think waking up is the start. I think the facility being under attack and learning who you're tangled up with just sticks with me more. I mean that whole 'wait, did you just say Cerberus?' thing put me inexactly the same frame of mind as the character for the rest of the game.

Fallout 3 - starting off as a child in the vault. Integrating your skill point assignment to your "growing up". Giving a reason to having a pip-boy. I remember the first time I played through that opening part...I felt claustrophobic. The vault...so enclosed and small. How could people live there?

Then everything goes to shit. People start killing people. Then you finally get out and open that cave door entrance. The sun hurts your eyes and you finally see the post-apocalyptic world that remains.

Walking through your house as a psycho runs ahead, then watch helplessly as your wife and child are murdered by said psycho.... Totally fucked up, but totally set the tone for Max's emotional state for the rest of the game [and subsequent games!]

Fallout 3 for me too. While not quite the start of the game, when I left the vault for them first time .... man-o-man!!!

I'd been out of then hobby for quite some time.

When I walked out, from the top of the rocky outcrop saw that amazing blasted landscape. It was the first time the true impact of open world gaming hit me. I suddenly realised the whole world was there for me to explore, and no one was telling me how I was to do it!

I actually hit the crouch button, I suddenly felt exposed and small.

It's a special memory. I've been hooked on open world RPGs in the first person perspective ever since...

In the wake of community and political pressure following the livestreaming of the horrific terrorist attacks at Christchurch on Friday, Australian ISPs have started blocking some sites used to rehost footage of the livestream, including the infamous 8chan image board.